Skip to main content

Dramatic Debate over AG Pick Sessions, Republicans Formally Silence Warren

Share This article

One day after Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the nation's education secretary, President Donald Trump is facing more tough battles over his cabinet nominees.

A dramatic scene unfolded in the Senate Tuesday during the confirmation hearing of attorney general nominee, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.

The debate over Sessions ramped up when Republicans invoked an obscure Senate rule to formally silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

They accused her of questioning the character of Sessions when she read an opposition letter from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s widow, Coretta Scott King, written during the time of Sessions' failed judicial nomination three decades ago.

"This is a reminder, not pertinently necessarily what you just shared; however, you stated that a sitting senator is a disgrace to the Department of Justice," Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., told Warren.

"The senator has impugned the motives and conduct of our colleague from Alabama as warned by the chair," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. "Senator Warren, quote, said Senator Sessions 'has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens.'"

Warren responded, "Mr. President, I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate? I ask leave of the Senate to continue my remarks."

Warren later finished her speech on Facebook.

The fight over Sessions comes after President Trump's nominee for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, was confirmed after a long contentious confirmation battle, a battle that resulted in Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie in the Senate.

"Never before has a vice president been called upon to cast a tie-breaking vote for a cabinet nominee," Pence said at DeVos' swearing-in ceremony. "When I cast my first vote in the United States Senate, though, I wasn't just voting for you, having seen your devotion to improving the quality of education for some of our most vulnerable children across the nation for so many years."

"I was also casting a vote for America's children, and I can tell you, my vote for Betsy DeVos was the easiest vote I ever cast," Pence continued.

Opponents, who criticize DeVos for her lack of experience in public education, have promised to keep up their opposition even after she takes office. And opponents say there was an outpouring of comments against her.

Republicans and conservatives blasted Democrats for simply carrying out the agenda of teachers' unions. Devos supports school choice and charter schools.

DeVos did not make any comments at her swearing-in ceremony.

As for Sessions, despite Democratic opposition, the Senate is expected to vote on his nomination Wednesday night, and then on Congressman Tom Price for secretary of Health and Human Services, and Steven Mnuchin for Treasury secretary later in the week.

"It's really time for our friends on the other side to get over the election, let this administration get up and get running," McConnell said at a news conference after the confirmation of DeVos. "We'll get through all of these nominations; its taking longer than it should, but we'll get through all of them sooner rather than later."

Share This article

About The Author

Mark
Martin

Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club. Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general